SYNTHESIS OF 3-O-METHYLATED DERIVATIVES OF CATECHOLAMINES
3-O-Methylated catecholamines, used in the radioenzyme method for the analysis of catecholamines in blood, were synthesized. The optimum conditions for the production of both the intermediate and the final products were determined. By the use of tetrabutylammonium bromide in the condensation of nitromethane with O-benzylvanilin it is possible to obtain a high yield of 1-(3-methoxy-4-benzyloxyphenyl)-2-nitroethanol. The latter is easily transformed at a palladium catalyst into methylnoradrenaline by reduction with ammonium formate. The reduction of 1-(3-methoxy-4-benzyloxyphenyl)-2-nitroethylene with hydrogen or its donors at a palladium catalyst takes place significantly more readily in the presence of ferric chloride.